"We used to enter in every single piece manually… now LIFT does it for you. Once the BOM is set right, labor codes etc are dialed in, it's done."

- Adam Dolney, CEO

DG Welding, a Minnesota-based steel fabrication company, maintained their bidding capacity and improved efficiency by 65% using SketchDeck.ai 's automated takeoff solution - even after losing two main estimators. Here’s how this 47-year-old family business is adapting to modern challenges while improving accuracy and turnaround time.

"SketchDeck is helping our estimators be more accurate, efficient, and get our bids done on time."

- Adam Dolney, CEO, DG Welding

About DG Welding

Founded almost five decades ago in a garage, DG Welding has evolved from a small welding operation into a comprehensive steel fabrication company under three generations of family leadership. Today, they handle hundreds of projects annually, ranging from small fixes to large multi-family complexes. They specialize in structural steel and miscellaneous metals for multi-family buildings and mixed-use projects.

The Challenge: Manual Takeoffs Take Time

Before implementing LIFT, DG Welding's estimators faced a time-consuming manual process:

• Every piece had to be entered manually into their system

• Building detailed project scopes required significant time investment

• Data entry tasks took focus away from critical bid analysis

• Limited capacity to handle multiple bids simultaneously

The Solution: Automate Takeoffs with AI

DG Welding implemented LIFT platform to automate their takeoff process.

Key features that drove their success included:

• Seamless integration with their existing Tekla system

• AI-powered beam identification and scaling

• Automated data entry and BOM generation

• Quick implementation with a minimal learning curve

• Responsive customer support and feature requests

The Results: 65% Estimated Reduction in Bid Completion Time

Dramatic Efficiency Improvements

• 65% reduction in bid completion time (estimated)

• Maintained bidding capacity despite losing two main estimators

• Increased actual bidding volume with fewer staff

• Improved bid accuracy and detail without sacrificing speed

Operational Benefits

• Seamless integration into existing workflows

• Rapid adoption by estimating team

• Ability to focus on bidding strategy and analysis, rather than data entry

• New estimators learned the tool quickly

• More comprehensive and detailed bids without "winging it"

Looking Ahead

DG Welding is leveraging SketchDeck.ai to train new estimators and scale their operations. As they continue to grow, the platform's automation capabilities will be crucial in maintaining efficiency and accuracy in their bidding process.

"SketchDeck is a gamechanger - and that’s it."

- Adam Dolney, CEO

Ready to Transform Your Bidding Process?

Try LIFT on your next bid - completely free by booking a demo with us today.

About SketchDeck.AI

We provide AI-powered automation tools for steel fabricators, enabling faster, more accurate takeoffs and estimating processes. The platform integrates with existing workflows and systems, helping fabricators improve efficiency and maintain competitiveness in a rapidly evolving industry.